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Residents criticize Kiva market study

CAMPTON HILLS – Residents remained insistent Tuesday that an alcohol and substance abuse center should not be allowed in Campton Hills.

They repeatedly asked the Village Board about the hurry in making a decision.

“There should be no rush on this,” said Abe Andrzejewski, a vocal opponent of the center.

His lawyer, Christina Morrison, urged the board to continue the public hearing so her client and other opponents would have more than a day to develop a rebuttal to an independent market impact study.

“That’s just not enough time,” she said.

Residents have spent the past several months attending Plan Commission and Village Board meetings to speak about Kiva Recovery, a high-end alcohol and substance abuse treatment center proposed for the former Glenwood School.

Kiva is seeking annexation into the village and a special use permit.

Public interest in Kiva’s requests has forced the village to hold its meetings at such venues as a church, fairgrounds and, for Tuesday’s meeting, Bell-Graham Elementary School.

Trustee John Strauss said he was ready to close the public hearing.

“I’ve heard enough,” he said, adding it was time to vote.

A vote was not taken by press time.

The first two hours focused on the independent market impact study the village commissioned Park Ridge-based MaRous and Company to perform. President Michael MaRous acknowledged there is risk with any new development, but he concluded the proposed development appears to be the best use of the site.

Several residents were upset Campton Hills didn’t hire a local firm. Many disputed MaRous’ analysis, taking issue with his assumptions – such as the facilities will be well maintained and managed and that the stipulations and conditions in the draft annexation agreement will be in effect – and comparisons.

“The comparable are simply not comparable,” Andrzejewski said.

MaRous said it’s not possible to have identical comparisons.

“Each of these situations is different,” he said. “There’s not a perfect comparison.”